New Insights on the Effects of Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Impaired Skin Healing in Diabetes and Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers.

Simona Serini,Gabriella Calviello

doi:10.3390/foods10102306

Abstract

Long-chain Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3 PUFAs) are widely recognized as powerful negative regulators of acute inflammation. However, the precise role exerted by these dietary compounds during the healing process is still largely unknown, and there is increasing interest in understanding their specific effects on the implicated cells/molecular factors. Particular attention is being focused also on their potential clinical application in chronic pathologies characterized by delayed and impaired healing, such as diabetes and vascular diseases in lower limbs. On these bases, we firstly summarized the current knowledge on wound healing (WH) in skin, both in normal conditions and in the setting of these two pathologies, with particular attention to the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved. Then, we critically reviewed the outcomes of recent research papers investigating the activity exerted by Omega-3 PUFAs and their bioactive metabolites in the regulation of WH in patients with diabetes or venous insufficiency and showing chronic recalcitrant ulcers. We especially focused on recent studies investigating the mechanisms through which these compounds may act. Considerations on the optimal dietary doses are also reported, and, finally, possible future perspectives in this area are suggested.

Highlights

For about thirty years, our main research interest was focused on the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic effects of the bioactive long chain Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC Omega-3 PUFAs) of dietary origin [1,2,3,4]
We have critically reviewed the outcomes of recent research papers investigating the activity exerted by LC Omega-3 PUFAs and their bioactive products in the regulation of wound healing (WH) occurring in skin, focusing on altered WH in patients affected by chronic conditions such as diabetes and vascular diseases in the lower limbs
We can conclude that, based on the recognized anti-inflammatory activities of dietary Omega-3 PUFAs and their metabolic derivatives, and the results obtained so far in research on diabetic and venous leg ulcers, these compounds are considered by many authors to be potentially promising candidates for the prevention and treatment of these chronic disorders

Summary

Introduction

Our main research interest was focused on the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic effects of the bioactive long chain Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC Omega-3 PUFAs) of dietary origin [1,2,3,4]. Over this long period of time, these natural compounds have attracted considerable attention worldwide as affordable and not harmful remedies for the prevention and cure of a wide range of chronic disorders, especially the inflammation-based ones. Based on more recent discoveries that have shed light on possible new routes through which Omega-3 PUFAs may exert their beneficial effects in other pathologic contexts, we proposed future directions in this area of research

WH Process in the Skin

Platelets and Endothelial Cells

Resident Immune Cells

Impaired Healing in Diabetes and Venous Stasis Ulcers

Mechanisms of Impaired WH in Diabetes

Mechanisms of Impaired WH in Patients Affected by Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers

Omega-3 PUFA Modulatory Effects on Delayed WH in Diabetic Patients

Findings

Conclusions and Future Perspectives